On Nintendo’s official specs page for the Nintendo Switch 2, the processor details are summed up as a rather ambiguous “Custom processor made by NVIDIA.” But during a chat with some of the key individuals behind the Switch 2’s creation, we got some intriguing insights into what lies beneath the hood and the potential it offers to game developers.
In attendance were producer Kouichi Kawamoto, technical director Tetsuya Sasaki, and director Takuhiro Dohta, who answered questions from the press with interpreter Raymond Elliget’s help. When asked about the console, Sasaki stated, “Nintendo doesn’t go into much detail about the hardware specs. Our primary focus is always on delivering value to our consumers.” Nevertheless, they did share enough to paint a clearer picture.
We gathered some fascinating tidbits about the technology that Nintendo is capitalizing on and learned about a few hardware specifics not mentioned in the spec sheet. Here’s a breakdown of what was revealed:
DLSS and Hardware Ray Tracing are Included
Thanks to their partnership with Nvidia, Nintendo is tapping into DLSS technologies. Dohta confirmed this upscaling tech will be available for developers to utilize, as he explained in response to a question from Inverse’s Shannon Liao. “Regarding the hardware, it can output to a TV with a maximum resolution of 4K. Developers can choose to use this natively or rely on upscaling,” he mentioned. “This flexibility offers a multitude of options.”
On the hardware ray tracing front, Dohta confirmed the chip’s capability and noted it’s another opportunity for developers to harness.
Battery Life and System Performance
Nintendo’s official specifications suggest the Switch 2’s 5220 mAh battery offers a ballpark usage time of 2 to 6.5 hours per charge, though the developers steered clear of pinpointing exact figures. Sasaki attributed this to the specific game titles players engage with and the conditions of use.
Dohta also mentioned that with features like GameChat, the device hosts more complex functionalities compared to its predecessor, making battery life more variable and even trickier to compare directly with the original Switch.
Emulating Original Switch Software
On the topic of backwards compatibility, specifically for Switch games and GameCube classics, the developers stated these titles are primarily emulated, akin to Xbox’s approach. Sasaki clarified, “It’s not solely the hardware doing the emulating, so it’s largely a software-driven process.”
Enhancements in Bluetooth
The new Joy-Cons now use Bluetooth 3.0 to connect with the Switch 2. When asked about previous issues with pairing multiple Bluetooth devices like controllers and headphones, Sasaki confidently stated, “Yes, it has improved.”
He elaborated by saying that the system’s larger size and increased number of antennas should significantly enhance connectivity, alongside several other adjustments.
Choosing LCD Over OLED
The Switch 2 will feature a 7.9-inch LCD screen with HDR support—an interesting choice considering the original Switch’s premium OLED model. Sasaki noted considerable advances in LCD tech, while Kawamoto pointed out that this new display offering HDR support distinguishes it from the OLED version of its predecessor.
The Two USB Type-C Ports
Fielding a question from CNET’s Scott Stein about the possibility of using the top USB-C port for external displays such as Xreal glasses, Kawamoto clarified that only the bottom port supports video output. "Since the glasses aren’t official Nintendo products, it’s challenging to confirm compatibility,” Kawamoto remarked.
The top USB-C port, however, has been showcased with the new Nintendo Switch 2 camera and can also be used for charging the system while in tabletop mode.
